62 



THE BROOK BOOK 



the thorax is a triangular opening through which 

 the perfect dragon-fly emerged. The long threads 

 which one finds attached at these open- 

 I ings are not the basting threads which 



held the old suit together, nor yet the 

 threads with which the dreaded "darn- 

 ing needle " sews 

 up the ears of 

 naughty little chil- 

 dren. They are 

 the linings of its 

 large breathing 

 tubes, left with the 

 rest of its cast-off 

 clothing when the 

 creature quits the 

 water. 



Some people 

 are wont to senti- 

 mentalize over 

 these dry and hol- 

 low husks ; but I 

 always feel like 

 congratulating the 

 dragon -flies and 

 damsel-flies I meet 

 on their fortunate 

 escape from such a 

 narrow life. Better 

 joyous hours, how- 

 ever short, in the high, free air, than a groveling 

 existence in the mud I 



'CLINGING TO SOME PLANT OVER THE WATER' 



